India is prospering, Indians arent: Aiyar

CHENNAI: Noting that the notion of equality which existed in votes in India did not exist when it came to currency notes, MP Mani Shankar Aiyar on Thursday said it was important that India accorded importance to inclusive governance to achieve inclusive growth.

CHENNAI: Noting that the notion of equality which existed in votes in India did not exist when it came to currency notes, MP Mani ..

Speaking at the valedictory celebrations of the Rotary Club of Madras T Nagar, the Rajya Sabha MP referred to a recent report on India's growth by deputy chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

"The report said that while India's GDP was growing at 8 percent, the poverty alleviation rate was less than 0.8 percent. The latter is similar to the growth rate in preindependent India," he said, adding, "India is prospering, but Indians aren't." In order to achieve inclusive growth, inclusive governance has to be ensured, with greater power and emphasis on the Panchayati Raj system, he added.

Stressing that discontent in India was on the rise, he warned that it could later develop into revolts or revolutions and added that the government should step in to ensure that the issues are sorted out and the revolutionary streaks repulsed.

"Else, they will try to achieve with the bullet what cannot be achieved by he ballet," he said, criticising the Posco and Vedanta projects.In the context of unequal growth, Mani Shankar Aiyar also criticised US President Obama's claim of India having already emerged. "India seems to be submerged than emerged," he added.

Bhooma Parthasarathy, who runs three Vedavalli Schools in Ranipet and Walaja, apart from a hospital for the needy, was presented the Dr YGP Educationist of the year Award, instituted for the first time this year.

Also present at the event were Mrs YGP, dean and director, PSBB Group of Schools, and Rotarian K Ramanujam, president of Rotary Club of Madras T Nagar.